D. Luke Polanco, CHC’s Post

"Seas of Sacrifice: Wishing a Happy Navy Day to Our Protectors. ⚓🎊" On this Navy Day, let's salute the incredible men and women of the Indian Navy, the guardians of our seas! 🌊 Their bravery, dedication, and sacrifice ensure our safety and sovereignty. A heartfelt thank you for your service! Navy Day isn't just about battleships; it's a tribute to the spirit of resilience that defines our naval forces. 🚢💙 Their commitment echoes in every wave they navigate, reminding us of the strength in unity and determination. In the marketing industry, there's a lot we can learn from the Navy's playbook. Much like planning a naval operation, marketing requires strategy, precision, and teamwork. The Navy's values of discipline and adaptability are essential for navigating the dynamic waters of the business world. Celebrating Navy Day is not just a patriotic gesture; it's a reminder that strength lies in innovation and adaptability. Marketers can leverage these qualities to navigate challenges and steer their brands to success. To the Navy and marketers alike, Happy Navy Day! 🎈⚓ Let's draw inspiration from the seas and sail towards new horizons! 🌟 #NavyDay #Gratitude #MarketingInspiration #SailToSuccess

Pause your scrolling and enjoy some extremely valuable insight from a couple of extremely intelligent and successful individuals, whom I greatly respect. Thank you, Christian, for the perspective check I think we could all benefit from! #leadership #management #goals #leadingbyexample #livingbyexample

"Ranger smash!" I heard this often in the 75th Ranger Regiment, U.S. Army, an elite #Infantry unit that values strength and aggression. After all, the main point of the organization is to break things and people. Sometimes that strength and aggression results in things being broken that shouldn't be. That was considered acceptable, and even laudable. "Ranger smash" alludes to the Incredible Hulk and refers to the tendency of Rangers to apply their strength and aggression enthusiastically, breaking things that may or may not need to be broken. Most civilian jobs don't value Rangers' destructive tendencies quite the same way, but sometimes breaking things can be good for your organization. Most companies have policies, procedures, and even strategies that could use an enthusiastic application of "Ranger smash." You might not be a #Ranger, but don't be afraid to follow Rangers' example in moving fast and breaking things. #hirearanger

In 1938, Winston Churchill became admiral of the world's strongest navy. WWII was about to start, so he instituted a strict rule: Daily naps. 💤 This man was going to lead the Royal Navy against the Nazis and he insisted on taking a 1 hour nap every afternoon. His rationale? Periods of war demand the most from leaders and the intensity lasts for an unknown length of time. In that circumstance, an afternoon nap is the best way to get the most out of the human form. During the war, Churchill would routinely stay up until 1 or 2 am (or later) managing a crisis. He’d sleep soundly until 8 or 9 am, and then take his afternoon nap. This allowed him to work long hours with incredible focus and tenacity. The effectiveness of this strategy on Churchill’s performance inspired his 2nd in command, Admiral Pound, to institute a similar afternoon nap policy. Most founders and CEOs face similar periods of intensity where crises happen at all hours, demanding attention and rapid responses. A nap is not for everyone, but it’s a logical approach if you’re in a role that includes sustained intensity over many years and where long hours combined with health and fitness are key ingredients to success. Do you nap?

As a three-time CoS (2 yrs 2nd Infantry Division - Korea, 2 yrs Eighth Army (Official) and as XO/assistant to US Army TRADOC CoS) this book struck me as an accurate assessment of the role. Though the scope of my experiences could not match the incredible magnitude of WH CoS, the processes, roles and functions were quite familiar. The CoS, in civilian or military context, helps frame decisions, preserves the leader’s time for things that matter, act as honest broker, integrate and lead a staff. The measure of a staff’s functionality, effectiveness and efficiency usually turns to how well the Chief is doing his or her job. My TOP quote: “The people who don’t succeed as White House Chief of Staff are people who like the ‘Chief’ part of the job and not the ‘staff’ part. You’ve got to remember you’re staff even though you’re powerful.” (Jim Baker, CoS to Ronald Reagan) U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) | The Army University | U.S. Army Combined Arms Center | Army University Press

David’s thoughts about Colonel Puckett are right on the money. I have also memorized him in a Substack article published today that provides some personal details. It is here: https://lnkd.in/eeuBk53m

When I think of David Goggins I think of myself at my very weakest. And a man I didn't know could even exist... appeared. And screamed at me with words on a page. To be better. Do better. Dream more. To drink his suffering and become a better person. The way he describes his upbringing made me tougher and more resilient. I am not a black American. But my God David Goggins screamed at me like I knew his pain. And the way he described his life? I was totally defenceless. Disarmed. How can anyone not be? Read Can't Hurt Me and try not to feel. It's not possible. That book breaks you down. Patience. Consistency. Discipline. When I think about what it takes to be great? At playing the violin, or studying until 5am at the library - or recording an album until everyone involved is falling asleep and one of us might crash the car on the way home. These are the three key ingredients. No mentor worth their salt is about breaking you down without building you right back up and turning you into an invincible war machine of a person. And that's what David Goggins does. I am glad to have met a few women who have learned David's message because I would like to think it's for everyone. The kind of patience David cultivates? Unbeatable. And, the very same patience all of my favourite artists have. From the Russian violinist David Oistrakh to Charlie Chaplin - to our era's reigning pop queen Taylor Alison Swift. Watch their patience. It is endless. Mine too. Consistency? Have you heard Larry David talk about his writing process for Seinfeld? He would literally RUN back to his office to make changes. Me too. After I heard that? Naturally. Why wouldn't I? He's my hero. Have you heard Jerry talk about how long it takes to craft his famously streamlined and perfectly conceived jokes? He is a social scientist; the most scientific comic of all time. His deconstructions of processes were the very basis for the inception of Seinfeld. At least, the very way he and Larry would deconstruct the ideas of items in a Korean supermarket in an amusing way. The nuts and bolts of things: amusing fact and theory and query by amusing fact and theory and query. How about Paul McCartney's recording process when he was in the Beatles? So gruelling it pissed off the other Beatles. Even John. No one in the Beatles cared as much as Paul about process. So? Incidentally, he was the first billionaire musician ever. Incidentally.... Discipline. Do you know who has energy for bullshit? Undisciplined people. Me when I'm undisciplined. You when you're undisciplined. Anyone. 'Idle hands' have the WORST reputation of any hands in all of human history. Why? Guess. Alcoholics need someone to scream and screech at. So do lazy people who expect wild and instant success. So do artists with no gumption. And accountants with no drive! But truly. You need discipline to practice, compose, record, release, tour, interview and repeat. Watch carefully. The most successful don't complain.

do this

Pick up a paperback copy at Goodreads for $25 or, if you don't mind me shipping it a little slower, get it for $18 through my blog site EnlistedRecords.org. The ebook version is below for $2.50.

In honor of #VeteransDay, we are proud to highlight a few of our team members who have served their country. Today we're highlighting Project Estimator Kevin Harrell from our Texas construction branch. Thank you for your service, Kevin! #thankaveteran #VeteransOfRuppert 𝗜𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸/𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲? I served 23 years in the United States Marine Corps and retired at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. I held many noteworthy billets during my tenure, with a final responsibility as the Battalion Maintenance Officer of 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division. 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼��𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂? My military service has created opportunities that I would not have been able to achieve otherwise. I have experienced a lifetime of events in that relatively short period of my life. These moments during my service have made me an improved mentee, mentor and most importantly a healthier husband and father. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳? / 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹? I have learned that any goal can be achieved ONLY if you set out pathways for achievement. One of the most tangible things I learned while serving this country is my ability to identify my own shortfalls and seek self-improvement when warranted. I am always looking for ways to better improve myself and the institution or individuals around me. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆? I have developed many different skills that have translated seamlessly into the landscape industry. I am no longer convincing our nation's finest men and women to run towards the sound of danger, however I can encourage my innovative team that new heights are attainable. I bring the standard and expectation we've come to expect from Marine Corps Officers each and every day.